It makes sense, then, that globally rising Britrock star Sam Fender should grace the cover of our issue this fortnight. As an artist, Sam has been at the forefront of a new generation of artists who are tackling the stigma of mental health head-on. Having talked at length with the singer on various occasions during his rise to the top, Hot Press sits down with Sam Fender once again, for a unique interview which covers everything from the suicide pandemic in North Shields, to the pervasive influence of drugs in his hometown, to his love for Bruce Springsteen and Fontaines DC.

We also publish our full mental health supplement – titled ‘Now We’re Talking’ – in this fortnight’s issue. For this massive, 35-page special supplement, we asked musicians, writers, artists and sports figures to help us break the stigma surrounding mental health by sharing their experiences of dealing with it. Everyone from Lewis Capaldi, Jessie Buckley, Alan O’Mara, Kodaline, Billie Eilish and dozens of other prominent figures responded, giving us deep, poignant words about how mental health has affected them, and how important it is to simply talk.

To add to all that, the response to our requests from people to pen something about their mental health was so overwhelming, that we’ve published unique features on people from all walks of life. Well-known Instagrammer and influencer Jess Brennan talks about the pressures that come with having a social media persona, while former drug smuggler-turned-artist Brian O’Rourke pens a moving piece about maintaining your mental health while confined to prison…

As well as all that, this bumper issue has all the fantastic articles you’d expect from Hot Press.

In our features section, we sit down with Girl Band to talk about their long-awaited second album, The Talkies, which is already being hailed as a masterpiece in some quarters.

Elsewhere, we talk to Keywest frontman Andrew Kavanagh about the state of the Dublin busking scene, his mental health journey, and the excitement surrounding their new album Ordinary Superhero.

In a fascinating Q & A, Amanda Palmer talks about how the Irish abortion referendum inspired her new album, There Will Be No Intermission. Also up for discussion are artistic epiphanies in Iceland, and why the singer’s fans inspire her to be artistically braver.

In our film section this issue, Roe McDermott talks to Irish director Tom Burke about his new documentary, Losing Alaska, which shows how climate change is causing the coastal village of Newtok to slowly disappear. She also gives her verdict on new releases such as Ad Astra and The Goldfinch.

In our book section this fortnight, Peter McGoran chats to Caelainn Hogan, author of the incredible – and shocking – new book Republic of Shame, which looks at the history of mother-and-baby homes and laundries in Ireland, and the legacy that this period has left for modern day Ireland. Elsewhere, we give our verdict on Christy Dignam’s autobiography, Margaret Atwood’s return, and the latest from Richard Dawkins.

We’ll also have all the news, reviews and previews you’d expect from Hot Press, including interviews with Hare Squead and Little Hours, and reviews of the new Liam Gallagher, Dermot Kennedy and Keywest albums.